Revelation Answers

Jesus will arrive to gather his people on the “Day of the Lord,” and in the New Testament, this event becomes the “Day of Christ.”   Writing to the Thessalonians, Paul refutes claims that the “ Day of the Lord ” is imminent, for that day will not arrive until after the “ apostasy ” and the “ revelation of the man of lawlessness .” And Jesus will destroy this malevolent figure at his “ arrival ” or ‘ parousia ’ at the end of the age, an event that Paul here links directly to this final day - [ Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash ].

Disinformation about the “day of the Lord” caused alarm among many in the congregation at Thessalonica – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 .  In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul addresses a claim that the “ Day of the Lord has set in ." Rumors are disrupting the congregation with false information about the “ arrival ” of Jesus that is being attributed either to a “ spirit ,” a word ( logos ), or a letter “ as if from us ” - [ Photo by sue hughes on Unsplash ].

In the book, “all” means “ALL.” All those who refuse to follow the “Lamb” will render homage to the “beast” and take its “mark. ”  Discussions on the “ mark of the Beast ” often focus on the significance of its number, ‘666,’ We wish to understand it, and thereby avoid taking it. But to better appreciate the ramifications of taking its “ mark ,” it is imperative to see how Revelation contrasts the “ mark of the beast ” with the “ seal of God .” - [ Photo by 戸山 神奈 on Unsplash ].

The Bible declares that Jesus is both “Lamb” and “King of Kings,” present tense, and it is he who reigns supreme over the earth .  In Revelation , from the start, Jesus is the Lord and King who reigns over the earth and, indeed, the entire Creation. His present status as the “ King of kings ” is depicted in numerous ways, and it is based on his past death and resurrection. His royal role and supreme authority are inseparable from his identity as the “ Lamb who was slain .” - [ Crown of thorns photo by Christi Marcheschi on Unsplash ].

After persevering through persecution, the ever-faithful church at Smyrna was promised even more “tribulation” but also great rewards .  Smyrna was a seaport renowned for its beauty and prospered from seaborne commerce. Unfortunately for the church, the imperial cult was well-established there. The origin of the congregation is unknown, and  Revelation  is the only New Testament document that mentions the city - [ Greek Ruins -  Photo by Antonio Sessa on Unsplash ].